So you just saw the spectacular view from top of the Eiffel Tower after queuing for 35 minutes. You braved the journey to Champs de Mars and battled you way through souvenir sellers and a large group of tourist. You got all your selfies done and ticked your bucket list. You now deserve a hot beverage or even a snack. But you don’t want to go to your touristy, over priced, under flavoured café. You don’t want to go to Starbucks and MacDonald’s. Where you need to go is to an authentic, local and delicious café. A place that is not your typical French bistro with Edith Piaf music. There is nothing wrong with a bit of cliché but honestly why go when we have THREE great places that we totally recommend.

1. O Coffeeshop

KATIE: What I love about O coffeeshop is that it’s in a super calm area, but even so, you go in and it’s bustling. It’s the mark of how you know somewhere is good.. if it’s busy. I’ve had their banana bread too and it’s incredible, along with their avocado toast! I love that you can just sit at the counter and the guys are open to chat. Wafa’s DEFINITELY been there more, but even in my few times of going, it’s left a great impression.

WAFA: This is my local and regular café. I love it due to it’s amazing breakfast and coffee. World renowned banana bread is toasted for you with a nob of butter! Delicious organic eggs over avocado on toast with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro and paprika really set you up for the day. You will not find croissants here but delicious baked tarts, cinnamon rolls and cakes by Chef Hélène Touin . They have a rotating lunch menu that is simple yet full of flavour. Owned and run by two coffee surfer dudes Timothee Teyssier and Matthew Sloane, they will welcome you with their warm Australian French smiles and charm along with a creamy cappuccino. So go in order your coffee and enjoy this modern cafe and it's cool vibe.

2. Terres de Café

KATIE: The first time I walked into a Terres de Café was at their Marais location with my mother in law. What drew us in was the incredible smell of the coffee beans. This location has that same charm and incredible coffee. If you’re a local and are looking for fresh coffee pods for your nespresso machines, they sell them, or if you want a great coffee to take back as a souvenir from Paris, they sell bags of beans too. I love that they are coffee specialists and their excitement and passion rubs off on you. Also, their gluten free brownies are to die for!! Fun fact, if you come into the KDP office and have coffee, they’re fresh beans from Terres de Cafe.

WAFA: Don’t let this tiny café fool you. Go in and discover one of Paris’s top coffee specialists. A prizewinner for best retailor in Paris 2015. It serves fair-trade organic coffee from their own sustainable coffee farms in Africa and Latin America. They serve snacks and set lunch menus that include sandwiches and quiches that are all hand made on site. You will discovered gluten free brownies and varied milk options. Long tables and benches inside makes it a great communal space, or you can people watch from their bright outdoor seats. I love their ethos and outlook on coffee, just look at their logo! No one knows what you are sharing over a cup of coffee with friends, Terres de Cafe gives you that personal space. Ears will be burning!

3. ZIA

KATIE: What I love about Zia is the light that pours in from the storefront windows, the beautiful artwork on the walls, and that the coffee’s plain GOOD. You can get different kinds of milks (good for my fellow non-lactose drinkers, they actually make their own almond milk) and can even get it to TAKE AWAY which is unheard of in Paris other than a few other coffee shops! The food is good and fresh, and every time I go in all I want is their amazing banana bread, and granola. Seriously, try it! I haven’t personally tasted their iced coffee (yet) but one of my girlfriends claims “It’s the best in Paris”. Once the warm weather comes back, it’s my next stop!

WAFA: This is a small bright café with modern art hanging that is bursting with amazing flavours from American owner and chef Justin Kent. The coffee and tea is good along with their baked snackes. Breakfast is served till 12 and then you have the lunch menu. I would recommend the home made Granola for sure. Their fish dish is also great and just the right portion. Reasonably priced and varied menu is what you get at Zia, exciting flavours is where Justin really exceeds in mixing flavours and textures. Using organic local produce and leaving your belly truly satisfied. It really is a hidden gem.

I hope that the next time you’re in Paris, or you’re in the 7th or 15th arrondissements around the Eiffel Tower and looking for a good coffee or pick-me-up, you’ll head over to these three hidden gems!

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Hey there, gorgeous!

Welcome to the home of Katie Donnelly Photography! I'm Katie, the owner and creative behind this Paris and NYC based engagement and family portrait photography brand. I laugh loudly, I love hard, and I can eat a pound of pasta in a sitting. (Seriously, ask my husband) I love celebrating everyday moments (with champagne of course!) and documenting the weird, the funny, and the wonderful of the everyday through family portraiture. Most days I’m hanging out in Paris or NYC and making art for my KDP portrait clients, or planning the next time I cook for our friends and family. My specialty? Pasta with fresh homemade pesto sauce.

What do you think? Are you the KDP cup of coffee?(that's, cawfee to all you fellow NYers)

Oui oui, madame, I’m sure you are! The KDP family is loving, adventurous and travels the world. You take lots of photos, and road trip with your dog (He sticks his head out the window with his tongue flying in the wind doesn’t he?!). You love enjoying the simplicity life and being silly. You savor the little moments and the big ones. You’re pretty sure that your kids are growing up WAY too fast, but are also excited to see who they become. Your family is your life (they’re probably one of those big crazy families like mine) and you spend a lot of time together talking, laughing, BBQing, and just enjoying each others company.

If this sounds like you, I think we should be friends.. sorry, is it too soon? *ahem* I mean, why don’t you get in touch. Let’s make some artful family portraits for your home..

Doesn’t that beautiful family of yours deserve it?

Katie Donnelly Photography

Paris + NYC PHOTOGRAPHER

"Hey Katie!! I got the album last Thursday and I haven't even gotten a chance to write to you because I've been too busy showing it to friends and family! Thank you so much :). Saying that I loved it is an understatement. You did and amazing job on it and you're an incredible photographer! You helped me keep the memory of my trip in a beautiful way.

Xx

Rossy"

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